Citizens Advice Debt and Money Campaign

We are expecting 643 people to seek advice on financial matters in January and reveals that people are more likely to research financial decisions in January than any other time of the year.

Analysis by national Citizens Advice shows that across the country, demand for money and debt advice is highest in January and February, with one person contacting their nearest Citizens Advice for help every 11 seconds and people visiting the Citizens Advice website every 3 seconds in January.

While January is often associated with squeezed budgets and debt worries, we are also expecting people to contact us with money queries as people take stock of their money situation and plan their finances long-term.

We anticipate that the most popular money queries will be personal pensions, credit reference agencies and debt management companies, while the most common questions around managing debt will cover rent, council tax, fuel and water arrears.

To help people get started, we are sharing eight top tips to help people get their finances in order for the New Year.

Carol Shreeve, Chief Executive, said:

“January is a great time to take stock of your finances and think about your priorities for the future, not just for the next month but for the next year and beyond.

“Although many people will be focusing on their next pay cheque after the busy Christmas period, people can also use the time to review whether they can save money on their bills or set a savings goal.

“Whether you’re looking to deal with debts, cut your costs or budget better, Citizens Advice can help you review your overall money situation so you can make decisions that improve your financial security.”

Our top tips for getting your finances in order are:

Do a simple budgetWrite down your income and take away your essential bills such as gas and electric, food and transport. If you have money left over, plan in advance what else you’ll spend or save. If you don’t, look at ways to cut your costs. Use our online tool to set a more detailed budget.

Save money on essentialsYou could save an average of £300 on your energy bill by changing tariffs or suppliers. Use Citizens Advice’s energy comparison toolto see if you can save.

Diarise the dates of annual contracts that are up for renewal, like your mobile phone or car insurance, and use a comparison site to see if you can get a cheaper deal.

Check you’re claiming the right benefitsIf you have a family or are married, check if you can apply for working tax credits or marriage tax allowance on gov.co.uk

If you live alone, you may be entitled to a discount on your council tax bill.

If you claim benefits, visit the national Citizens Advice website to check if you are eligible for discounts on your water or energy bills.

Start savingStart saving if you can – it doesn’t matter if it’s 50p or £5 a week, every penny will help improve your finances.

Saving is an important part of everyday finances, giving you a buffer for emergencies, helping you buy bigger items and giving you more financial security for the future.

Keep tabs on your overdraftSign up to free text alerts from your bank so you know when you’re close to going into your overdraft. Then make adjustments to your spending if you can.

Be choosey about your borrowing
If you need to borrow money, it’s important to know that there are different offers with credit cards and loans, from free balance transfers to paying no interest for the first few months.

Get your debts in orderIf you can’t pay all your debts at once, it’s important to prioritise. Rent or mortgage and council tax are more important than credit card debts for example as the consequences can be more serious if you don’t pay.

Invest in your future
Pensions are a great way to save for the future and are also good value, as your contributions are topped up your employer and the government.

If you’re eligible for auto-enrolment, consider paying more than just the minimum.

Those who are self-employed can still set up their own pension but make sure it’s with a regulated company.

If you’re over 50 and have a defined contribution pension you can get a free Pension Wise appointment to learn more about taking your pension. Visit the Pension Wise website or telephone 01609 767555 to book an appointment.